Chad BESC Certificate — The Complete Guide
How the Chad BESC certificate works: issuing authority, required documents, application process, timeline and the rules that apply.
This guide covers the BESC certificate for shipments to Chad — who issues it, which documents it needs, how the application runs and what the validation rules are. For the country procedure page, see Chad BESC.
Overview
The BESC — Bordereau Électronique de Suivi des Cargaisons (Electronic Cargo Tracking Note) — is the cargo tracking certificate required for shipments to Chad. It is issued by COC-TCHAD (Chadian Shippers’ Council). Requirement status: Mandatory.
Maritime traffic to Chad is handled through the Cameroon ports of Douala and Kribi. If freight is in transit via Cameroon, a Cameroon ECTN/BESC certificate is also required.
Sample BESC certificate
A Chad BESC we filed, with the customer fields masked. Use it to check the layout, where the authority stamp sits and where the reference number is printed.
Discharge ports
- Douala
- Kribi
Required documents
- Bill of Lading
- Commercial Invoice
Application process
1. Send your documents
Share PDF copies of the required documents via sck@scktr.com, or upload them through the application form. There is no need to send hard copies for the issuance of BESC certificates.
2. Draft is prepared
Once complete, consistent documents arrive, a draft is prepared for your confirmation. A file specialist checks the shipment details against the documents before anything is filed.
3. Confirm the draft
Check every field on the draft — consignee, ports, weights, values and container references. Final documents must be submitted without further amendments; corrections after validation are charged separately.
4. Filing and validation
The confirmed file is submitted to the issuing authority for validation. The BESC number is issued at validation, so it cannot be shown on documents prepared before that point.
5. Certificate delivered
The validated certificate is sent to you and can accompany the cargo to the destination port.
Timeline
- Processing time: a few days
- Validity: One validated BESC per Bill of Lading.
The exact cut-off depends on the destination and the vessel schedule; confirm the deadline for your shipment with our team before filing.
Special rules
Validation deadline. Per regulation 056/PR/MITDC/2019, the BESC must be validated no later than two days before arrival at destination or departure of the vessel.
Non-compliance. Discharge of cargo not covered by a valid BESC is subject to a penalty fee equal to 100% of the BESC value, and importers may face delays and storage costs.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get approval?
Once all required documents are provided, a draft is shared for confirmation and payment, then submitted for approval by the Chad authorities. The process usually takes a few days, but plan for up to one week.
Which name should be indicated on the bill of lading as a discharge port?
Douala and Kribi are the main ports of Cameroon used for maritime traffic to Chad. If the discharge port is Douala or Kribi, the final destination must be checked to confirm whether the cargo is in transit to Chad.
Do I need to obtain BESC if my shipment is in transit through Cameroon to Chad?
Yes. A shipment travelling via Cameroon with Chad as the final destination requires a Cameroon ECTN/BESC certificate as well.
How should vehicles (chassis) loaded in containers be declared?
They must be declared as containerized cargo with container references correctly shown on the bill of lading; otherwise the ECTN should be issued as a RO/RO shipment.
Can I use the same ECTN number for various shipments?
No. Each shipment requires its own unique and verified ECTN number.
Ready to file? Apply for a BESC certificate or go back to the Chad BESC procedure page. All country guides: Country guides.